Award-winning journalism from the only newspaper dedicated to further education and skills FEWEEK.CO.UK | MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 | EDITION 157

National College plans ‘not Three pages of Ofsted Questions for new sufficiently mature’ annual report analysis Fetl Prof Doel Page 2 Pages 4, 5 & 13 Pages 15 Boles unveils deep pan degree apprenticeships Skills Minister Nick Boles was on to all Pizza Hut employees with each hand to roll out Pizza Hut’s first ever individual supported by a personalised apprenticeship scheme. development plan, and will be run with Ranging from level one to degree Manchester Metropolitan University. Adrian Brooks/Imagewise standard, the programme aims to Mr Boles said: “These provide apprentices with a range apprenticeships at Pizza Hut of skills, from guest service and Restaurants will offer even more hospitality leadership, through to more people the opportunity to gain skills technical requirements focusing on and knowledge while working.” food production and financial analysis. Pizza Hut plans to take on 1,500 The apprenticeships will be open apprentices over the next five years.

Skills Minister Nick Boles learns to make a pizza with new apprentices Alexia Seabrook and Jarod Pratt, both aged 18, to launch Pizza Hut Restaurants’ first apprenticeship programme BIS report hails ‘substantial impact’ of FE on unemployed @JUDEBURKE77 individuals,” the report says. come as no surprise because our members learning” and that “this group also see the [email protected] “Those who engage in FE experience a have long delivered effective skills provision biggest difference in outcomes relative to greater improvement in the likelihood of for the unemployed. those who don’t engage in FE”. A government report has hailed the being in employment than those who don’t “It’s a major reason why we argued Of those aged 18 to 24 who had “no prior “substantial impact” of FE in getting engage in FE. against significant cuts to the adult skills employment experience according to HMRC unemployed people back into work — and “The evidence presented here implies budget which funds this provision and why records”, those who had some form of FE called for greater investment into provision for that an expansion of FE learning for the we have pushed for contract growth in this learning were between 4 and 7 per cent more people looking for a job. unemployed (including at level two and area.” likely to have found work one, two and three The report, published by the Department below) would be beneficial, which should be A spokesperson for the Association of years after starting their benefit claim than for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), taken into consideration in any decisions Colleges said: “Colleges have always been those with no FE learning. was based on the experiences of unemployed about changes in funding for this provision.” successful in helping unemployed people The report further highlighted the value people. The 71-page report follows last month’s gain the skills and qualifications to find of learning at level two and below for A government spokesperson said: “Analysis spending review which appeared positive for a job. It is therefore pleasing that this is unemployed learners, which it says had of over 2 million unemployed found that FE FE with news of protection of the “core adult confirmed by the BIS research.” previously been underestimated. can make a substantial impact on the chances skills participation budgets in cash terms, at The report analyses the experiences of “The central role of FE in helping the of unemployed people finding work.” £1.5bn” but left lingering questions with no new benefit job-seeking benefit claimants most disadvantaged is also central to the It used individualised learner record data definition as to where “£360m of efficiencies between April 2005 and April 2009, and methodological problems that led to previous on, for example, enrolments on government and savings from the adult skills budget by between August 2010 and July 2012, with underestimates of the value of learning at initiatives such as such the Work Programme 2019-20” would come from. around 2.3 million people in each group. level two and below,” it said. as well as “self-refer” learners out of work. A spokesperson for the Association Among its findings were that “individuals A BIS spokesperson said it was not “This study show that FE learning provides of Employment and Learning Providers facing the highest barriers to employment commenting on the report. goodNOCN labour FE Weekmarket Front returns Page for Strip unemployed Ad (03/12/15)_Layout (AELP) 1 01/12/2015 said told FE 16:42 Week Page: “These 1 findings are more likely to be observed in FE See editor’s comment on page 6

Call 0114 227 0500 www.nocn.org.uk @nocn1 nocn1 2 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 Edition 157 NEWS News in brief FE WEEK team Bankruptcy warning on Saudi ventures FE WEEK @alixrobertson4 project was said to be worth £1bn to the UK Dual mandate wait goes on Editor: Chris Henwood [email protected] economy. The government still cannot say when it will Head designer: Nicky Phillips UK Trade and Industry (UKTI) Education publish a response to for Business Secretary Dr Designer: Russell Hardman nglish colleges who set up new learner was responsible for bringing together Vince Cable’s ‘dual mandate’ consultation — six Sub editor: Paul Offord ventures in Saudi Arabia as part of consortia to bid for what it described as “high months after the consultation closed. Reporters: Alix Robertson A government spokesperson told FE Week that Emulti-million pound deals could be facing value contracts”. Billy Camden its response to the consultation, which addressed “bankruptcy” as the projects prove less Although the projects were thought to Jude Burke the FE sector’s dual role of providing vocational popular than expected, it has been claimed. be providing new revenue streams for training for the workplace and being a ‘second Rebecca Jones Education Investor has reported that an increasingly cash-strapped domestic chance sector’ for those who didn’t get their Photographer: Ellis O’Brien Saudi’s Colleges of Excellence programme, college sector, such ventures have not been GCSEs at school, would be published “in due Financials: Helen Neilly which attracted the likes of Lincoln College, without their critics. Ofsted boss Sir Michael course”. A spokesperson had previously said the Victoria Boyle Moulton College and Activate Learning Wilshaw, for instance, once urged colleges to government’s response would be published in late Sales manager: Hannah Smith October. among others, is struggling to get the number focus on “Deptford not Delhi,” as previously Sales executive: Felicia Byrne of learners it had expected. reported by FE Week. Administration: Frances Ogefere Dell The report said Pearson, which was However, according to Education Investor, New area review waves contracted to run three colleges, dropped out representatives of several operators have now The government has announced the second wave Contributors: Shane Chowen of post-16 education area reviews, including 34 of the programme in June and is understood spoken out to say highlight the lack of student Graham Razey general FE colleges and 15 sixth form colleges to be in a legal dispute with CoE. demand that has left some running “virtually (SFCs). Dr Sue Pember Dr Ian Baird, former chief executive of empty colleges”. It is set to get under way from next month Phil Hatton the Pearson and Hertvec (Hertfordshire Other providers whose involvement was covering The Marches and Worcestershire, Neil Carmichael Vocational Education Consortium) CoE highlighted on the gov.uk website included Thames Valley, West England, Cheshire and Kirstie Donnelly initiative, was quoted as saying: “The CoE Lincoln College; the Oxford Partnership, a Warrington, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, and Martin Doel project was deemed to be a massive change consortium comprising Activate Learning, Surrey. It follows the first wave of seven reviews which to how technical and vocational education GEMS Education Solutions and Moulton covered 50 general FE colleges and 33 SFCs. Managing director: Shane Mann is delivered in the Kingdom, but the initial College; Hertvec, a consortium led by Indications of three futures waves, with 22 excitement for providers has waned. Hertford Regional College and including proposed review areas have also been released. And tweet us your thoughts @feweek or “The size and complexity of this project North Hertfordshire College and the See feweek.co.uk for more. with the #feweek could actually cause British state-funded University of Hertfordshire; and FESA, colleges to go bankrupt, as they incur costs another consortium of UK colleges and Ofsted boss at FE Week event Contact the editor without getting paid for the resources they training providers. Please inform the FE Week editor of any Ofsted boss Sir Michael Wilshaw has been errors or issues of concern regarding this are providing.” Education Investor reported that Hertvec, unveiled as one the key speakers at the FE Week publication. In April last year, then-Skills Minister for example, won a £225m five-year deal to 2016 Annual Apprenticeship Conference and Matthew Hancock announced that UK run three colleges in 2014, but added that its Exhibition. Sir Michael is pencilled in to appear on day two Email [email protected] with education providers had won four new “numbers are understood to be well below Error/Concern in the subject line. of the event, which takes place from Wednesday, contracts worth £850m to set up 12 technical target”. Please include the page number and story March 16, to 18 at ICC Birmingham. headline, and explain what the problem is. and vocational training colleges in Saudi. All college groups, the UKTI and CoE were Conference host will be BBC broadcaster and At the time, 16 British operators had been contacted by FE Week for comment but were journalist Emily Maitlis. Visit feweekaac2016.co.uk hired to run 37 Saudi institutions and the yet to respond at the time of going to press. for more information and to book tickets. subscribe

For an annual subscription to FE Week for Rejected National Colleges plans ‘not sufficiently mature’ just £75 visit www.feweek.co.uk and click on ‘subscribe’ at the top of the page. @alixrobertson4 The National College for Advanced so that we can continue to work together to www.feweek.co.uk [email protected] Manufacturing was hoping to have bases in address the skills challenges we face in our Sheffield and Coventry in partnership with the sector.” ADVERTISE WITH US The teams behind two proposed National High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) The five successful projects were the Colleges told their plans were “not mature and manufacturers’ organisation the EEF, National College for Digital Skills, the If you are interested in placing a product or enough” to proceed have told FE Week of their while the National College for Wind Energy National College for High Speed Rail, the job advert in a future edition please click on the ‘advertise’ link at the top of the page on determination to keep the projects alive. was to be established in the Humber. National College for Nuclear, the National feweek.co.uk or contact: Business proposals for seven different At Sheffield University’s Advanced College for Onshore Oil and Gas, and the E: [email protected] employer-led National Colleges were handed Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) National College for Creative and Cultural T: 020 81234 778 in to the Department for Business, Innovation Training Centre, lined up as one of the Industries. and Skills by July 17 with an announcement bases for the National College for Advanced The government previously pledged £80m Disclaimer about successful bids pencilled in for last Manufacturing, Kerry Featherstone, head of funding for the colleges, to be matched by month’s Budget. operations, said: “The HVMC and EEF are still employers. FE Week is owned and published by Lsect Ltd. The views expressed within the publication are those of the authors But Chancellor George Osborne said just in discussion with BIS about the development Skills Minister Nick Boles has said the aim named, and are not necessarily those of FE Week, Lsect Ltd or five of the bids had been given the go ahead of the National College for Advanced is to have a network of industry-led National any of its employees. While we try to ensure that the information we provide is correct, mistakes do occur and we cannot — with the National College for Wind Energy, Manufacturing. We are not yet in a position to Colleges by September 2017. guarantee the accuracy of our material. in the Humber, and the National College confirm plans and timing.” The design of the printed newspaper and of the website is copyright of Lsect Ltd and material from the newspaper for Advanced Manufacturing, in Sheffield, Maf Smith, deputy chief executive of should not be reproduced without prior permission. If you missing out. RenewableUK, the renewable energy trade wish to reproduce an article from either the printed paper or the website, both the article’s author and FE Week must be A BIS spokesperson said: “Following association that proposed the National College referenced (to not do so would be an infringement on copyright). a detailed assessment, which included for Wind Energy to government alongside Lsect Ltd is not responsible for the content of any external internet sites linked to. presentations to the assessment panel from the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, Please address any complaints to the editor. We are fully each of the colleges, it was concluded, subject said: “It’s disappointing that the National committed to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint which cannot be resolved by to final due diligence, that five of the colleges College for Wind Energy wasn’t included in the editor, write to the Press Complaints Commission, Halton were ready to proceed. the wave of colleges announced as part of the House, 22—23 Holborn, London EC1N 2JD “The chairs of all the colleges have been Chancellor’s spending review. informed of the outcome of the assessment “There’s a great deal of support and Learning & Skills Events, process. The due diligence process with the enthusiasm for this National College, so we’re Consultancy and Training Ltd five successful colleges has started. currently reviewing the options available 161-165 Greenwich High Road “Proposals for a National College for Wind to us, to enable us to meet the needs of this London SE10 8JA T: 020 8123 4778 Energy and a National College for Advanced important industry. E: [email protected] Manufacturing were not sufficiently mature to “We’re working with government and proceed.” industry to find alternative routes forward Kerry Featherstone FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 157 MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 3 NEWS Launch date revealed for overdue ESF tenders Level three 19 to 23 @paulofford launch them in appropriate entitlement remains [email protected] sets, at regular time frames.” The Department for Business, Innovation The launch date for the first round of long- The SFA is yet to and Skills (BIS) has given more details of its overdue invitations to tender for European comment on which six plans to extend FE loans, as announced in Social Fund (ESF) contracts has been set for NEET geographic areas the Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget. Monday (December 7), FE Week can reveal. first round of contracts will He said loans would be made available to The previous 2007 to 2013 Euro skills be tendered for. level three and four learners aged 19 to 23, contracts closed on July 31 and none have It comes after FE Week and to level five and six learners aged 19 and gone out to tender through the Skills Funding exclusively revealed on above. Agency (SFA) since. November 10 that the “The extension of loans, which we plan to A spokesperson for the Association of SFA planned to run a implement from the 2016/17 academic year, Employment and Learning Providers said “sequence of procurement” does not affect the duty on the Secretary of that resulting ESF funding gap had “led to for handing out £650m of State to ensure that learning for a first full staff redundancies, centre closures and even delayed ESF cash, which qualification at level three should be free for providers having to cease trading [because of must be finished by the end 19 to 23-year-olds,” a BIS spokesperson told the sudden loss of the ESF cash]”. of September next year at FE Week. But an SFA spokesperson told FE the very latest to allow a minimum delivery help the process. A spokesperson for the Student Loans Week on Thursday (December 3) that “as period of 18 months. Furthermore, FE Week revealed in March Company (SLC) said implementation of the FE communicated to our stakeholder group The delivery period, up to March 2018, was that then-Minister for Communities and loans expansion was “progressing well”. today, we have processed six specifications determined with ministers unable to say that Local Government European Programmes, “SLC is confident that application and for NEET [not in education, employment, the SFA would oversee anything other than Lord Ahmad, had told Leps that only the payment systems will be in place for those or training] provision, and we are now in a apprenticeships beyond then. London Lep would be allowed to “take starting courses next September,” they said. position to launch six Invitations to Tender Mike Bell, SFA deputy director for localism decisions” over ESF funding. The spokesperson was unable to confirm on December 7”. policy implementation, wrote to Local The government had previously planned when the system would be open for “The second set of invitations to tender are Enterprise Partnership (Lep) and European to give all 39 Leps a “direct role” in dishing applications. scheduled to be launched on December 14,” Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) out ESF cash, but his letter to them said the A spokesperson for the Association of she added. “In line with our procurement committees with details of the timeline. European Commission had barred this. Colleges said: “It is important that these process there will be a 30 calendar day “Ministers have agreed that we cannot It is thought that the long-running dispute loans are properly administered to provide bidding window (excluding December 24 to put in place contractual or match-funding between the government and the European additional support for students.” January 3 inclusive). arrangements beyond the point at which Commission leading up to Lord Ahmad’s Stewart Segal, chief executive of the “The procurement programme is the SFA might cease to be accountable for announcement, over the role that should Association of Employment and Learning flexible and when we are in receipt of the non-apprenticeship adult skills budget,” be played by Leps in the process, was a Providers, said: “We need to understand the agreed specifications from local enterprise wrote Mr Bell, who said a new “simplified significant cause of delay with launching the details of how the loan facility will be extended partnerships (Leps), we will process and procurement initiation document” would tendering process. to the new groups.”

Principal’s ‘regret’ was unable to achieve a “high standard” of education. Funding cut for back-to-work support at school closures The trust has started the process of finding places for pupils from the losing @paulofford The DWP currently has contracts with 15 over pupil numbers studio schools at its other four schools — [email protected] providers for 18 regions across the country. @RebeccaJones932 The Nuneaton Academy, Hartshill School, The only FE college group contractor is [email protected] The George Eliot School and The William Providers have been warned that government NCG, which currently covers Birmingham, Bradford Academy. funding to help long-term unemployed people Solihull and the Black Country. Ms Plant was adamant there would be no back into work was likely to be dramatically The DWP terminated NCG’s contract for The principal of a Midland college behind further school closures, that the decision cut by 2020, FE Week can reveal. the North East Yorkshire and the Humber two studio schools struggling with low pupil would not affect the college, and said: “It is The Department for Work and Pensions’ last March, replacing it with Devon-based numbers has told of her regret at having to just two small schools which, for different (DWP) director for contracted employment Maximus. shut them down. reasons, have under-recruited and are not provision Matt Thurstan last month sent a The DWP told FE Week at the time that this Midland Academies Trust, which is viable in the longer term.” letter, seen by FE Week, to providers advising was because it was the “lowest performing sponsored by North Warwickshire and She added: “It’s about us having put on what will happen after current Work [contract] assessed against a range of Hinckley College, is set to shut Midland everything into trying to address the Programme contracts end in April 2017. measures”. Studio Colleges in Hinckley and Nuneaton situation around student recruitment, The scheme, launched in June 2011, involves No-one from NCG was available to next summer with just 157 pupils out of including investing heavily in a very private, public and voluntary organisations comment, but Employment Related Services a combined capacity of 600 making them professional marketing and recruitment helping to find jobs for people who have Association (ERSA) chief executive Kirsty economically unviable. campaign.” normally been unemployed for at least 12 McHugh (pictured), which represents Marion Plant OBE, college principal trust The year 11 and 13 pupils can stay at months, although shorter-term unemployed employment support providers, said: “The chief executive (pictured), told FE Week: the closing studio schools until the end of people can also be referred by local Job Centres. programme has done fantastically at moving “The first thing to say is that is it hugely the academic year and the year 10 and 12 Total funding to providers through the the long term unemployed into work, but it’s sad and personally am deeply regretful that, students will be given the option to continue payment-by-results scheme was around £2,001m no surprise that the new contracts from April what was a very innovative project and their studies at either The George Eliot up to June — which worked out at just over 2017 will focus far more strongly on jobseekers development, hasn’t worked. School, or The William Bradford Academy £500m a-year. with disabilities and health conditions. “What I am proud of is the huge amount from January 2016. But Mr Thurstan said in the letter that the “Our understanding is that the funding of success that has come out of both Ms Plant said the schools had been department now recognised “the number of mentioned in the letter is the minimum studio schools, because a lot of the appreciated by employers who saw those requiring this support is reducing” available for the new work and health young people have progressed to them as connecting education and — so “core funding” could be cut to programme.” apprenticeships and gone on to work. just £130m-a-year by 2020/21 for a A spokesperson for the Association of working with local companies.” She said: “While I am expressing replacement scheme expected to be Employment and Learning Providers The Hinckley school opened just regret — and I am deeply regretful launched from May 2017. said: “The number of people who three years ago and the Nuneaton that the students’, parents, and “Our new provision will support have been out of work for over a year branch followed a year later. carers are so upset at the decision long-term unemployed claimants has fallen by a quarter in the last But trust board chair — I think what we have learned on reaching the 24-month point in their 12 months, so providers had Tim Render said “lower a positive sense is the studio claim, as well as targeted referrals anticipated that a replacement than forecast” pupil school model of learning is a of claimants with health and programme would be on a numbers meant the trust really effective model.” disabilities issues,” he added. smaller scale.” 4 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 NEWS ANNUAL OFSTED REPORT EXPOSES FE MATHS AND ENGLISH ISSUES @paulofford [email protected] Overall effectiveness of FE and skills providers inspected between September 1, 2014, and August 31, 2015 Ofsted deputy director for FE and skills Paul Joyce has outlined how the story of the GENERAL FE COLLEGES: SIXTH FORM COLLEGES: education watchdog’s 2014/15 annual report 2014/15 2013/14 2014/15 2013/14 was one of a huge rise in maths and English Total inspections 48 77 Total inspections 15 31 learners “undoubtedly” impacting upon Outstanding 2 (4%) 5 (6%) Outstanding 0 (0%) 2 (6%) worsening inspection grades. Good 15 (31%) 42 (55%) Good 7 (47%) 19 (62%) He spoke to FE Week moments after Ofsted Requires improvement 26 (54%) 26 (34%) Requires improvement 5 (33%) 9 (29%) chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw unveiled Inadequate 5 (10%) 4 (5%) Inadequate 3 (20%) 1 (3%) 1 the report, which raised concern that only 35 4 3% 5 2 2 per cent of English and maths provision had 5% 10% 4% 5 3 6% been judged good or outstanding, on Tuesday 6% 20% 9 15 (December 1). 29% 31% 26 7 It blamed the percentage in part on colleges 34% 42 47% 19 struggling with the consequences of meeting a INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROVIDERS 55% 62% rule obliging providers to ensure 16 to 19-year- 26 (INCLUDING EMPLOYER PROVIDERS):5 old FE learners without at least C grade GCSE 54% 2014/15 33%2013/14 maths and English continued to study the Total inspections 127 130 subjects or miss out on funding. Outstanding 7 (6%) 4 (3%) Mr Joyce told FE Week: “Maths and English Good 57 (45%) 82 (63%) undoubtedly has had an impact on [overall RequiresSource: Ofsted improvement 49 (39%) 35 (27%) Ofsted] inspection grades, although it is Inadequate 14 (11%) 9 (7%) important to realise they’re not the only factors.” 14 7 4 Analysis by FE Week in February gave 6% 3% INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROVIDERS 11% 9 early indication that the sector’s performance 7% was being affected. The research showed (INCLUDING EMPLOYER PROVIDERS): 35 2014/15 2013/14 the proportion of general FE and tertiary 57 27% Total inspections 127 130 colleges inspected up to that point and graded 49 45% 82 inadequate or told to improve was up 27 Outstanding 7 (6%) 4 (3%) 39% 63% percentage points on the previous year, while Good 57 (45%) 82 (63%) the percentage of sixth form colleges and Requires improvement 49 (39%) 35 (27%) independent learning providers with grade Inadequate 14 (11%) 9 (7%) three or four inspection results had also increased. 14 7 4 Source: Ofsted 6% 3% The previous year, 36 per cent of inspections 11% 9 across the sector had resulted in providers WILSHAW WARNS PACE OF IMPROVEMENT7% FOR SECTOR SLOWED IN 2014/15 being rated as inadequate or requires 35 57 27% improvement — it stood at 66 per cent in Ofsted boss Sir Michael Wilshaw (pictured) reported “With the financial pressures on the sector and the “At the same time, almost half of these colleges 45% February. 49 82 that he had “seen the pace39% of improvement slow” in structural uncertainty brought63% about by the area- were operating a deficit budget, in part because the And the 2014/15 annual report warned FE and skills — picking out general FE colleges in based reviews, it is imperative that the underlying sector lost almost 267,000 learners in a single year.” the performance of general FE colleges had particular as where “performance has declined”. weaknesses are tackled to prevent further falls in His conclusions were drawn from the inspection been hit harder by maths and English resit English and maths commitments, finances and quality.” results of 48 GFE colleges, 127 independent requirements than sixth form colleges (SFCs) falling standards in leadership were among He added: “The majority of general FE colleges learning providers and 15 sixth form colleges. with higher GCSE entry requirements. the college issues identified by the education inspected this year were judged less than good. Sir Michael said: “Ofsted found just 44 per cent of Mr Joyce said these pressures “had a watchdog’s chief inspector as he launched his With only 35 per cent judged good or outstanding, the leadership in general FE colleges to be good or detrimental impact in terms of inspection 2014/15 annual report on Tuesday (December 1) this reflects the fact that general FE colleges are outstanding, 19 percentage points lower than last outcomes [across the sector] in that many morning. struggling on a number of fronts. year. providers are struggling to deliver maths and Sir Michael’s report described how Ofsted had hailed “This year, the number of learners who had to “Her Majesty’s Inspectors have reported concerns English to the required quality standards that sector improvements over the previous two years — study English and mathematics in order to have about the performance of leaders in the sector both they and we would like to see”. but they had had now “slowed down,” he warned. their study funded rose dramatically, and because across most regions of the country, with London “I think there’s a whole host of reasons “In the case of general FE (GFE) colleges, there has many colleges did not have an adequate strategy to performing slightly worse than other areas.” [for this], undoubtedly one will be due to the been an overall decline in standards,” he said. respond, the quality of teaching declined. He added: “Across England, 77 per cent of all GFE number of learners that are now having to do these qualifications,” said Mr Joyce. of these colleges, particularly those in financial judgments.” providers (ILPs). “Often when I speak to principals or chief difficulty do need that support in order to Mr Joyce also said inspectors saw “a Mr Joyce told FE Week: “You can see in the executives, particularly when there are very survive. variable picture over employer engagement”. report that we are worried about delivery of large numbers on these programmes, their “Inevitably there’s likely to be “Providers that we see as good or apprenticeship provision, whether that’s with concern is the recruitment of staff that can recommendations around merger,” he added. outstanding have very good relationships with an ILP or a college.” deliver to the standard they would like.” Last academic year also saw a change in employers, have employers involved in their “Our key message is whether you’re a Sir Michael recognised in the report that inspections with Ofsted looking closer at curriculum planning and perhaps involved on college, ILP, or an adult community provider, “many colleges” had been placed under financial issues. their governing board. what matters is getting leadership and “considerable” pressure, because of funding But, said Mr Joyce: “Inspectors are not, or “Hence, the shape of the curriculum and the management, the curriculum, and teaching cuts and merger proposals, including this year predominantly not, auditors or accountants. courses are tailored to those employer needs. and learning right, so the outcome for learners through post-16 education and training area When we go in we are primarily looking at the “However, we do see some instances where on apprenticeship or study programmes are reviews. quality of education and training provided. employers aren’t as engaged and providers are positive,” he added. Mr Joyce told FE Week: “The financial “But clearly under leadership and not doing enough to engage with employers.” The report was based on inspections from situation the sector finds itself in, and the management, you wouldn’t expect our But the report also raised concern about 2014/15 which were carried out under a reorganisation potential through area reviews, inspectors not to take account of the financial poor progression rates to apprenticeships common inspection framework (Cif) that was are obviously challenging circumstances. viability of a provider, so they are provided from traineeships and a lack of “high quality changed this academic year. “Area reviews are something additional for with that information by the funding training” through apprenticeship programmes However, Mr Joyce said the annual report leaders to deal with, but in many cases some authorities and people qualified to make those run by colleges and independent learning was still of relevance. FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 157 MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 5

POOR PRISON FALLING NUMBERS ANNUAL OFSTED REPORT EXPOSES FE MATHS AND ENGLISH ISSUES EDUCATION BACK IN COMMUNITY IN THE DOCK LEARNING Overall effectiveness of FE and skills providers inspected between September 1, 2014, and August 31, 2015 Falling numbers of people taking part Learning and skills in prisons came in for in community learning was an issue SIXTH FORM COLLEGES: severe criticism once again from Ofsted addressed by Sir Michael Wilshaw. 2014/15 2013/14 chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw in his A graph appeared in his 2014/15 annual Total inspections 15 31 2014/15 annual report. report’s section on adult learning, showing how the number of funded students Outstanding 0 (0%) 2 (6%) He said it had been one of the “worst undergoing personal and community Good 7 (47%) 19 (62%) performing elements of the FE and skills development learning had fallen from Requires improvement 5 (33%) 9 (29%) sector for some time, and Ofsted has long around 580,000 in 2009/10 to just under Inadequate 3 (20%) 1 (3%) been critical of this failure”. 1 500,000 in 2013/14. 3% There were 50 prison and young offender 2 “The community learning budget has institution inspections — of which four 3 6% been frozen and therefore buys less each resulted in outstanding grades, 24 good, 56 year,” he said. 20% 9 29% requires improvement and 16 inadequate. “There has also been a shift towards 7 Sir Michael wrote: “The overall quality courses for people who are more 47% 19 INDEPENDENT LEARNING PROVIDERS 62% of the education and training funded by the disadvantaged, which are more expensive (INCLUDING EMPLOYER PROVIDERS):5 Skills Funding Agency was reflected in the to deliver. As a result, across the sector, 2014/15 33%2013/14 judgements given for the offender learning the number of learners in ‘personal and Total inspections 127 130 and skills service.” community development learning’ has Outstanding 7 (6%) 4 (3%) The report comes with Justice Secretary dropped by just over 80,000.” Ofsted inspected 60 community learning Good 57 (45%) 82 (63%) Michael Gove having ordered a review of the and skills providers in 2013/14, including Requires improvement 49 (39%) 35 (27%) Source: Ofsted system of prison learning in September, as specialist designated institutions, not for Inadequate 14 (11%) 9 (7%) previously reported by FE Week. profit organisations and local authorities. Former Education Secretary Mr Gove Of these, two resulted in outstanding wants the inquiry to, in part, look at how the 14 7 4 overall grades, 32 good, 19 requires 6% 3% Offender Learning and Skills Service (Olass) 11% 9 improvement and seven inadequate. 7% — currently contracted regionally to three “There has been increasing pressure 35 general FE colleges and one independent for providers to deliver value for money by 57 27% learning provider — operates. aligning publicly funded adult learning to 49 45% 82 It will be led by Dame Sally Coates, some demonstrable community benefit,” 39% 63% director of academies south for the United said Sir Michael. Learning schools group, and an interim “As a consequence, as funding has report is due by the end of next month with shifted, not all providers have survived. See page 13 for expert pieces on the Ofsted the full report, including recommendations, Those providers that have adapted to these annual report by Holex boss Sue Pember and expected two months later. challenges have flourished. Many adult former Ofsted inspector Phil Hatton learning courses remain popular year on Rod Clark, chief executive of the year and therefore providers have often Prisoners Education Trust (Pet), said: successfully evolved these to become self- “We have long called for learning to be at WILSHAW WARNS PACE OF IMPROVEMENT FOR SECTOR SLOWED IN 2014/15 financing.” the heart of prisons and this latest report He added: “Where providers declined highlights the increasing and urgent need colleges are good or outstanding compared with 79 “The figures from our routine inspections this year or did not improve, this was linked to for improvements to be made. per cent last year [2013/14]. are shocking, with almost half the provision judged leadership and management. This included “We agree with Ofsted that there must a mixture of insufficient oversight, lack “This decline is because one-in-three of the GFE to be less than good. be more accountability and leadership to of clarity in how leaders and managers colleges inspected this year dropped at least one But Sir Michael also acknowledged the college achieve this and the government’s Coates evaluated the provision, lack of governance grade and a further 16 failed to improve from sector’s financial pressures. Review provides a timely opportunity for and not addressing fundamental areas for their previous grade of requires improvement or “The National Audit Office this year published a new policies to reform learning in prison.” improvement over time. inadequate. report that demonstrated the rapid decline in the David Hughes, chief executive of the “Other weaknesses included insufficient “Worryingly, just 34 per cent of 16 to 19 study financial health of the sector,” he said. National Institute of Adult Continuing use of data to monitor the provision in programmes were found to be good or outstanding.” “The figures were alarming, with just under Education (Niace), said: “Once again, the order to respond quickly to a decline He revealed that a “thematic survey” of study half of the 244 colleges operating in deficit. It is in the proportion of learners achieving chief inspector was highly critical of learning programmes would be carried out to look into what understandable then that the government has begun qualifications, or slow improvement in the and skills in our prisons. This cannot the issues were. a process of area-wide reviews to ensure that FE outcomes and the learning experience for continue and we must make sure the Coates And Sir Michael also revisited the criticism of providers have sufficient capacity to meet the needs learners. Another challenging factor was Review and re-tendering of Olass contracts apprenticeships that emerged from an Ofsted report of learners and employers, are financially stable and the impact on provision where providers really do make a difference.” on the programme in October. deliver high-quality provision going forward.” were subject to changes in management, restructure or merger.” “I think the report lays out the challenges providing thousands of young people with increased again in 2015 to 79 per cent, up a Dr Sue Pember, director of policy and that the sector faces in light of the new Cif GCSE maths and English qualifications, it is a point from last year.” external relations at adult and community — so with progression from learner starting great achievement that nationally, 77 per cent A spokesperson for the Department for learning provider membership body Holex, points, the increased focus on personal of colleges are good or outstanding.” Business, Innovation and Skills responded told FE Week: “The Chief Inspector was development and behaviour, and learner James Kewin, deputy chief executive of the to the concern raised in the report about FE right to draw attention to the drop in adult destinations,” he said. Sixth Form Colleges’ Association, said: “This funding cuts. learning participation. We need to do more Sector leaders to have responded to the year’s report acknowledges that more SFCs She said: “By 2019/20, government spending and collectively we need to refocus our adult learning strategies.” report include Gill Clipson, deputy chief are good or outstanding than any sector. on apprenticeships will have doubled in cash She added: “Adult education is not a executive of the Association of Colleges. “All of this has been achieved against a terms compared to 2010/11. luxury but an essential service, to meet the She said: “Her Majesty’s Chief background of funding reductions and “Funding for the core adult skills demands made on it, it will need to grow Inspector has highlighted a decline in curriculum reform.” participation budgets will be protected in cash in the future and our collective challenge the overall performance of FE colleges. Stewart Segal, the Association for terms.” is to ensure we provide the leadership and We are pleased though that Ofsted has Employment and Learning Providers She added: “Area reviews will help direction and not to let down those older recognised the ‘context’. chief executive, said: “Despite funding improve quality by securing an efficient and learners who are relying on us. “Considering the level of pressures acknowledged in the report, financially resilient sector.” “Therefore it was right to feature in funding cuts colleges have it is pleasing Ofsted found the the annual report and I hope that it now had in the last five years, percentage of training providers See feweek.co.uk for more responses to the galvanises us all into establishing a new and the massive task of Paul Joyce judged good or outstanding annual report focus on adult learning.” 6 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 fe week COMMENT Seeing substantial sense First came the ‘better-than- expected’ settlement in Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget last month and now this — a BIS report that is clearly, and rightly, complimentary of the FE sector. They are two seemingly concrete indications that someone in the corridors of power is finally seeing sense. However, the extent to which Mr Osborne’s Spending Review announcements were as positive as they seemed (ok so, positive in that they may well have been bad, but not as bad as expected) will only emerge with the unpacking of the finer details. And the extent to which BIS officials, or indeed Mr Osborne NUS leader Martin backs MPs’ call for free apprentice prescriptions himself, will take heed of this @alixrobertson4 A Department for Business, Innovation A spokesperson from the Department of report with its praise for the [email protected] and Skills spokesperson declined to comment Health said that there were currently “no “substantial impact” FE has on on the EDM saying it did not relate to plans to extend the prescription charge unemployed people’s job hopes A cross-party group of MPs has won the apprenticeship policy. exemption for 16 to 18-year-olds”. also remains to be seen. backing of NUS FE leader Shakira Martin However, Shakira Martin, National Union They added: “If someone in an Of course there’s always the (pictured) with their bid to put first-year of Students (NUS) vice president for FE, said apprenticeship scheme is not already eligible get-out clause in the report, apprentices on a par with full-time learners in she would “welcome any move to cut vital for free prescriptions, they may be able to get when budgets are being decided claiming free NHS prescriptions. expenses for apprentices”. these via the NHS Low Income Scheme, or upon, that “the views expressed” Labour’s Stephen McCabe’s early day She said: “Despite a raise this year, lower cost prescriptions through an annual within are those of the authors motion (EDM) to Parliament had, at the time the current apprentice minimum wage is Prescription Pre-payment Certificate.” and not necessarily of BIS. of going to press, been signed by 20 other still exploitative and not enough to cover According to the NHS website, an But there can surely not be MPs, including from his own party along basic living expenses. This includes travel, apprentice resident in England could apply for with Conservative, Scottish National Party, accommodation, food and other living costs. the NHS Low Income Scheme if their savings many more clear-cut arguments Independent Democratic Unionist Party MPs. This is a barrier to any young apprentice, but and investments did not exceed £16,000. for the good that FE can do and It was tabled on November 18 and especially for apprentices with a disability, The scheme offers help with covering more clear-cut reasons for the states: “This House notes that those on long-term health condition or those who medical costs, including prescriptions. government to finally give the apprenticeships aged 16 to 18 or 19 and over, are parents.” Alternatively, buying an annual sector the backing it deserves. but in the first year of their apprenticeship, Mr McCabe told FE Week: “It is clearly Prescription Pre-payment Certificate Because, as the report points earn only £3.30 per hour but are required to unfair that a young person on less than costs £104, meaning you save if you out, it’s support that ultimately pay for their prescriptions, whereas those of minimum wage completing an require more than 12 items over would help the government the same age but in full-time education receive apprenticeship isn’t entitled to the year. achieve its own aims of reducing free prescriptions.” free prescriptions but someone The government levels of unemployment. Apprentices can actually get more than the studying for their A-levels is. spokesperson also said that an £3.30 figure, which rose from £2.73 an-hour in “This disadvantages young apprentice may be eligible for Chris Henwood October, depending upon their employer, but people on apprenticeships and free prescriptions if their parents [email protected] the EDM continues: “This a serious barrier the situation is even worse received specific benefits, such to access to health care for such groups and a if you suffer from a chronic as income support, or if they had Top #Ofsted annual disincentive to those wishing to commence an condition which requires regular specific ongoing health problems report tweets apprenticeship.” medication.” Andy Wilson such as certain types of diabetes. comments @LSWatBHH Congratulations @StrodeCollege an example of a highly effective & improving college in Local authorities come under the FE Week long as they have their own in-house adult education embraced them and have wider Apprenticeship Ofsted Annual Report 2014-15 2015/16 adult apprenticeship allocations departments there is going to be a conflict of interest. strategies as enablers rather than deliverers. spotlight What will there be to stop Local Authorities just Many are coming round and to be frank, some @afuahirsch keeping the devolved ASB “in house”? Surely one shouldn’t – they may not have the expertise, but their 6th form colleges facing “perfect storm” Is this really the wisest way to invest £101m-plus of of the basic conditions for devolution of the ASB wider work should not be de-valued. Oh, and I do not of funding shortages, leadership gaps, the Adult Skills Budget? should be a clear separation between Local/Combined work for an LA…..!! curriculum changes #OfstedAR15 #ofsted Wouldn’t it be better spent with colleges or other Authorities as commissioners and providers of adult PaulB organisations whose core business is in delivering education??? @gatesheadcoll high quality teaching, learning and assessment for Tony R Much-feared Budget looks positive for adult So proud to be praised in Ofsted annual adults and young people? skills budget — but what could the new 19-plus report “Outstanding teaching & learning I struggle to understand why Local Authorities Hang on, we need to put this into perspective. FE loans mean? prepared learners very well for next step.” are doing this in an era when they are supposed to 1 Look at the sizes of allocations – in the wider scheme #OfstedAR15 be focussing in on their core functions rather than of things, most are not very big at all. Really hope the UK Employer Skills Survey is not dabbling in areas which would be better undertaken 2 LAs mostly commission out their provision – few affected by the potential loss of UKCES @CBI_ES by others. actually keep them “in-house” Lucy Hargrave Ofsted right to underline that 3mill R Carter 3 A large chunk of LA ASB is spent on engaging hard apprenticeships target won’t drive quality. Working with employers to deliver this is to reach and disadvantaged learners and dealing with The 16-19 funding rate is protected but let’s see how vital #OfstedAR15 Good point R Carter but what concerns me even local literacy and numeracy issues. the technical aspects of the funding formula now get more is that as a result of Devolution — eg Sheffield, 4 Some LAs supplement their safeguarded budget for adjusted. Reducing programme uplift or disadvantage @Crissietoff Liverpool, Tees Valley, North East — the government “First Step” and Family Learning programmes that funding won’t get headlines, but may deliver the Any mention of the huge job in #FE to right is going to hand over what remains of the non- support communities to re-engage. savings they need. Until we see the formula funding in the lack of English and maths of school Apprenticeship Adult Skills Budget to groups of Local LAs never used to spend their FE cash on Dec, we can’t rest easy on planning 16/17 budgets. leavers? #OfstedAR15 Authorities (Combined Authorities). But surely as Apprenticeships until fairly recently. Many have Dan Wallman FE Week & Me PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

OPEN TO ALL FE STUDENTS now open

INFO Our annual FE Week and Me photography competition Our readers will vote for the winner, which will be IN PARTNERSHIP WITH is back and once again FE Week has teamed up with announced on February 5, 2016 on the NCFE to find stunning pictures that depict learning FE Week website. environments in the FE and Skills sector. To enter simply email your entry by January 15, along TWO CATEGORIES with your name, college or independent learning This year there are two levels of entry: photography provider, course details and whether you are entering student and non-photography student. Entrants will as a photography or non-photography student. be in with a chance of winning some stunning prizes and the chance to shadow a high-profile professional We look forward to viewing your entries. photographer. The competition is open to anyone For more information visit feweek.co.uk. studying within the FE and skills sector. WWW.FEWEEK.CO.UK

DEADLINE ENTRY: Friday, January 15, 2016. to enter email: [email protected] 8 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 NEWS Midland college FoI responses in spotlight Social mobility

Sandwell Central Sixth @alixrobertson4 under which we may monitor an tsar labels FE [email protected] (formerly The Public) organisation to check it is handling its FOI requests in a timely ‘absolute jungle’ The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) manner.” @RebeccaJones932 is investigating a Midland man’s claim his Mr Saunders, who writes [email protected] local college is struggling with its legal duties community news blog The under the Freedom of Information Act. Sandwell Skidder, began engaging Julian Saunders complained to the ICO and with the college after it took over Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission requested that Sandwell College’s FoI practice The Public — a public building in chair Alan Milburn has told a Lords committee how the FE sector is “an absolute jungle” for be monitored after it issued a number of late West Bromwich, where the college learners and it needs to “take lessons from the responses to his requests. is based, that previously housed an higher education system”. Principal Graham Pennington (pictured) art gallery and was run by his wife. Mr Milburn told the House of Lords Social has even sent him four apology letters for One of Mr Saunders’s FoI Mobility Committee that FE was in need failing to disclose information that should requests, made on June 6 last year, got no same person, requesting detailed information of “simplification” as he gave evidence on have been released. response, he claimed. on various and complex subjects, including our improving the social mobility in the transition The college claimed that 60 per cent of FoI Mr Saunders followed up with a further A-level provision and arts provision at Central from school to work. requests it had fielded so far this academic email asking for an internal review on Sixth. In addition to these we have received five He appeared before the committee at its year had come from Mr Saunders and said July 9, and received a response on August 4 requests for internal reviews. penultimate evidence session on Wednesday that “unfortunately it can take time to collate apologising for the delay saying that his FOI “These requests are all from the same (December 2) and said: “The choices that young complex information for so many different request had been “forwarded to an incorrect individual, the husband of the former managing people are making are not the greatest choices. “And that is for a whole variety of reasons, requests”. email within Sandwell College”. His request director of The Public, which the college has like the lack of transparency in the [FE] system. The ICO has nonetheless agreed to was answered on August 8. transformed from a loss-making arts facility “In fact to grace it with the word system discuss Mr Saunders’s case, which covered He said it was one of a number of internal into Central Sixth, a highly successful sixth seems to me a complete misnomer — this is not FoI requests into issues such as delays in review requests he had made to Sandwell form centre in partnership with Sandwell a system it’s a jungle.” revealing the number of student studying College having seen his FoI requests go Council. He said the higher education system had A-levels and publishing the minutes of the unanswered or contain significant redacted “These are the only areas of delay we are “total clarity” and “a portal of entry” — referring college’s governing board meetings. information. aware of. The college always endeavours to to Ucas, which operates a system called A spokesperson for the ICO told FE Week He said these had resulted in four letters provide timely information Progress for the FE and skills sector. it could not comment specifically on the of apology sent to him from principal Mr but unfortunately it can The FE system, he claimed, was “almost case, adding that its role was to look into the Pennington. He wrote: “I consider that the take time to collate designed to induce more complexity and the complaint rather than investigate the college. college should have disclosed the information complex information wrong choices”. He added: “We need to imbibe some of the “We cannot investigate other matters that it held.” He added: “Please accept my apologies for so many different lessons from higher education and translate may lie behind the request. We focus on only for the delay in providing this information.” requests. The college is those lessons into how we structure and guide whether an organisation has complied with A Sandwell College spokesperson said: “So constantly reviewing people through vocational education. the Act,” she said. far this academic year we have received 10 its processes to ensure “I think we have got to do some serious She added: “There are circumstances FoI requests, six of which have been from the efficiency.” rethinking of all of this and almost go back to basics in terms of design.” Mr Milburn referred to “16,000 courses” to choose from in FE and said “with such a Ofsted identifies improvement at horror youth prison multitude of organisations and qualifications, it’s almost impossible to make a trade-off between them”. He said: “Heaven help us — if Fe Week Reporter Paul Cook of trainees say that staff treat them with there is ever, ever a need for simplification it [email protected] respect.” is here.” He also commented on last month’s Lin Hinnigan (pictured), Youth Justice Budget and said “colleges probably breathed a Ofsted inspectors who uncovered “degrading Board chief executive, said “We are pleased sigh of relief” after hearing Chancellor George treatment, racist comments and care from that progress has been made at Rainsbrook Osborne’s speech, but added that “there are staff under the influence of illegal drugs” at a STC since Ofsted’s last inspection and that some real challenges” with growth, which “has youth prison have reported an improvement. the improvements reported are in line with obviously fallen”. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ), as findings from our own monitoring activity. The Social Mobility Committee evidence previously reported on feweek.co.uk, pledged “We will continue to monitor and ensure session came just a day after Association of “urgent action” in light of Rainsbrook Secure robust action is taken to address any staff Colleges (AoC) president John Widdowson Training Centre’s May inspection report. conduct issues. discussed higher education at the House of And the actions appeared to have set the “The YJB will work closely with G4S to Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee. G4S-managed centre, near Rugby, on the path see it makes the improvements required in He said: “It’s tempting to use university as a to improvement with a team made up of four line with the standards we set. We expect proxy for all higher education, but clearly it isn’t, Ofsted inspectors, two from Her Majesty’s inspection being fully implemented alongside continuous improvements to take place and will become less so in the future.” Inspectorate of Prisons and one from the new recommendations to improve the quality throughout the transition to MTC Novo Mr Widdowson added that a set of metrics Care Quality Commission, reporting it now of teaching, learning and assessment.” taking over the running of Rainsbrook STC “might work perfectly well in the current required improvement. It was previously It was announced in October that MTC from May.” university system, probably won’t work with labelled inadequate. Novo would be taking over from G4S in A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: some of the new entrants that are coming into Inspectors said inmates at the centre, managing the centre for five years from May “It is encouraging to see the higher education world”. which houses young people aged 12 to 18 who next year. progress is being The set of metrics to enhance teaching and have been given a custodial sentence or are Paul Cook (pictured), managing director made at Rainsbrook learning in higher education include, focusing on on remand, “have not experienced the level of for G4S children’s services, said: “I am and that, crucially, enhancement, enhancing reputation, preserving diversity, preserving autonomy and efficiency harm or degrading treatment identified at the encouraged that inspectors now report that the majority of within the sector. last inspection”. the team has responded effectively to the young people The final Lords Social Mobility Committee They found “senior managers have taken findings of the last inspection and that the reported feeling evidence session is due to take place on consistently prompt robust action to deal centre has improved. safe. Clearly Wednesday, December 9 at 10.35 with Education with staff and protect young people, which is “We set out to return the centre to the there is more Secretary Nicky Morgan and Skills Minister an improvement”. high standards we have delivered over our work to be Nick Boles as witnesses. The committee has The inspection report, published on previous 16 years and it is heartening that done and we will already heard from high profile figures including December 2, added: “Education provision is inspectors report many examples of staff continue to closely former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and judged to be good overall but would benefit putting themselves at risk to prevent harm monitor the Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw. It is from the recommendations of the previous to young people and that over 95 per cent situation.” expected to report its findings by late March. CHANGE BRINGS YOU REAL CHOICE

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Take a look today ocr.org.uk/cambridgetechnicals 10 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 profile

Almost from day one I knew that this was the sector for me because I absolutely loved the process of teaching and learning, and it became so fundamental and so important to me

THE WRIGHT TYPE @RebeccaJones932 a typing course at her nearby Warwickshire she was 33. be the top of everything’ background,” adds [email protected] College. A move into journalism followed, before Wright. She says: “When they interviewed me they Warwickshire College asked Wright to do She worked at the college for a decade, typist course at Warwickshire College advised me that I should do their mature some cover teaching of GCSE and A-level working her way up through the ranks to the at the age of 29 was the moment Sarah A-level course — so I did that and I studied English. position of quality manager by 2003. AWright knew her “life was going to be history, English and maths.” She says: “Almost from day one I knew Her next career move was to take up post different”. It was a move that led to the realisation for that this was the sector for me because I as director of quality at the nearby Solihull Today she sits in the principal’s chair at Wright that “life was going to be different to absolutely loved the process of teaching and College, before returning to Warwickshire Central Sussex College safe in the knowledge how it had been before”. learning, and it became so fundamental and College in 2007 as vice principal until 2009. of when and where her next paycheque will She says: “I felt that, for the first time so important to me.” Wright then landed the role principal of come from — but such certainty and security really, somebody in an educational Wright took up teaching part-time and Seevic College, in Essex in 2010, before she was not always present in her life. environment believed in what I could do. also taught at an independent school. A year secured her current role as principal of Wright left school in 1975 at the age of 16 “So I did well in my A-levels, and then went later she was offered full-time posts at both, Central Sussex College in January 2013. with “surprisingly to everybody, some pretty on to Warwick University to do a history and but with “no doubt in mind” opted for the “When I arrived here and started looking at decent O-levels.” politics degree.” Warwickshire College post. things, I felt a real thrill about being back in a However, with influential dad George Wright, a grandmother-of-two, reflects with She says: “It just seemed to be such an large FE college,” she recalls. not “overly impressed by academic great passion on how much she enjoyed her exciting environment, and one in which I felt Central Sussex College has 11,000 students qualifications,” Wright found herself married university experience and explains how it I could really make a difference. and nearly 400 staff and Wright saw the job and settled for family life just two years later made her grow in confidence. “And I think the experience of not having opening for the principal of the college as a and by the age of 23 she had two children — And it was during her time at Warwick done extremely well at school gave me an great opportunity to make an impact on a Emma and James. University that she met husband Gordon, insight into the minds of the students there. sizable FE provider. But with her marriage having failed, and who studied the same degree but in the year “I didn’t have the stereotypical ‘go through “However, it quickly became clear that the two small mouths to feed, Wright applied for above. Wright, now aged 56, graduated when education, leave school, go to university and situation with the finances was not what I FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 157 MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 11

It’s a personal thing

What’s your favourite book?

Hermione Lee’s Life of Virginia Woolf. I just think that’s an amazing read, and it’s non-fiction, which is quite unusual for me

What do you do to switch off from work?

Switching off isn’t something I’m particularly good at, but I see a lot of films and plays with my husband. I

talk a lot to my sister, who is totally not in the world of From left: Wright, aged two, with a monkey, grandmother Kathleen and mum Ann education, but seems to understand it anyway. But I guess really the only time that I completely switch off from work is when I’m playing with my two grandsons, George, aged six and Samuel, two. They are all-consuming, and I find them completely hilarious — I’m completely besotted

What’s your pet hate?

I really hate any form of smugness or pretention — pomposity. I just wonder who people are trying to fool when they behave like that

If you could invite anyone to a dinner party, living or dead, who would it be?

Both my parents have died in the last couple of years, so I’d definitely have them. I’d have the potter and fabulous writer Edmund de Waal. I’d also have Vanessa Bell, the artist, Nina Simone singing, and my

dad playing saxophone. And my son would be cooking Wright graduating from the University of Warwick A three-year-old Wright enjoys what would — he’s the best cook ever with daughter Emma, who has two sons, and son become a lifelong pastime of reading James in 1993 What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I wanted to write, but until I started teaching at an FE college, I just wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. But I was completely sure, almost from day one, that that’s where I was going to stay

Wright with grandsons George, aged six, and Sam, two Wright, aged seven, on Wright on holiday with husband Gordon in 2010 THE WRIGHT TYPE holiday with dad George had believed — and we ended up that year he would later praise the “well balanced” Wright. She adds: “I am very keen to walk around with a £10m deficit,” explains Wright, who governing board which had “changed “So we do welcome it, and really we’re at and talk to students to ask them about their has overseen two Ofsted inspections at the significantly over the past two years”. an early stage, but we’ll work through it, and experience of the college, and they tend to college, both of which resulted in ‘requires “The senior management team has we’re pleased to be a part of it.” be very open and frank about things — and improvement’ ratings. been completely revised following the But back to the daily pressures of the actually really mature about what they want She explains that the college had “a appointment of a new principal in 2013,” college and Wright says “financial control and what they don’t want. massive financial hole” due to building a reported Dr Collins. now is extraordinarily strong” and she has “Students do know when they are getting a new campus and says it took the college to “The incoming principal inherited a made a “great effort to get their finances good experience and when they’re not, so we borrowing more than 100 per cent of income number of major problems including a under control”. do listen very carefully to that. — she says the average in the sector is debt representing more than 100 per cent And what keeps the college’s ethos strong, “I think some of the feedback that we’ve around 40 per cent. of turnover and unsatisfactory internal says Wright, is the effort and passion she and had very recently is that they like being And a month after Wright’s arrival, the auditing arrangements.” her team put into it. taught by people who have been there and college received a notice of improvement for Wright says the college has done She says: “I admire my team — I also done it — and that has come through to me financial concern from the Skills Funding all it can to enact the commissioner’s really greatly admire the legions of staff very strongly.” Agency (SFA), which was lifted in August. recommendations, but his involvement with in colleges across the country in what is But a great challenge remains, she says. Wright says she knew she had to build the the college has not ended there. He chairs the a sector which has had successive cuts “I think the big challenge is the reputation college, which has a current SFA allocation Sussex Coast post-16 education area review to funding and now must be considered of the sector and the lack of understanding of nearly £6m, from the “bottom up” when in which Central Sussex College is one of underfunded, who every day go that extra sometimes about the good work that the she arrived and so revamped the board and eight GFE colleges and three sixth form mile to make that real difference. sector does,” explains Wright. senior team. colleges whose futures could be in jeopardy. “They help students achieve who wouldn’t “FE is about that fundamental change to And while the finances blow soon after “I am confident that the recommendations necessarily have achieved, and they help the life of an individual who can then take her arrival prompted a visit from FE of the review will be sensible and sound, them to have different lives to the lives they their real part in the economic life of the Commissioner Dr David Collins in January, because of the people running it,” says would have had if they hadn’t come to us.” country.” 12 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 experts FE INSIDER Shane Chowen is head of policy & public affairs at Niace and a governor at Graham Razey Westminster Kingsway College. He is also a former Institute for Learning policy officer Principal, East Kent College and ex-vice president of the National Union of Students. His exclusive FE Insider column features in the first FE Week of every month. The ‘heartbreaking’ path to raising The big Lep Euro standards through competition Among the many proud principals that they are the top of their game. watching learners take part in last So as a competitive man, and someone who funding step month’s WorldSkills UK competitions at believes in our students and staff, when the the Skills Show was Graham Razey. But results for the WorldSkills were announced I despite no mention for his college among was heartbroken. But it was not because of the ithin the next couple of weeks, we skills and employment strategies etc rest the medal winners, he views taking part as lack of medals. expect the Skills Funding Agency to on the quality of leadership, policy and an opportunity to challenge and improve. It was because over the three-day Wfinally begin the process of European oversight from councillors. competition I’d seen the passion, Social Fund procurement, advised by My real worry here is how much ’m a very competitive individual. That trait determination and drive of all of the college’s European Structural Investment Funds freedom local political leaders will actually is one which comes from my longstanding students and tutors, and in truth, I was gutted (ESIF) committees within Local Enterprise be given to direct policy in their area. Ipassion for team sports. I’ve seen first-hand for them. By the time the competition had Partnerships (Leps). It’s all well and good devolving power the difference that competing can make for finished all of our students looked shattered. I This will be the first time Leps will and responsibility, but if it’s in HM people, as they practise repeatedly to hone have never seen nine individuals give so much have influence over where and how public Treasury wrapping paper with a massive their skillset which is eventually tested in the to a competition, they were all utterly drained. money is spent on learning and skills un-Christmassy list of government arena of competition. And that is the heart and soul of what skills programmes. policy requirements, then its not really I make no bones about my competitive competitions are about. It isn’t about getting Yet, with devolution all the rage, this devolution at all. So I think the quality, nature and drive. So it would be a medal, it’s about building our students is just the beginning of stronger local and freedom, of local political leaders are understandable, therefore, for you to think up — shaping them and helping them to be oversight over economic growth and public really important. a skills competition — for me, as principal the best they can be. When I saw how much service reform. Since Lord Heseltine’s ‘No Following any discussion about political of East Kent College — would be all about my students had achieved, with such high Stone Unturned’ report just over three leadership usually comes accountability. winning and the haul of medals our students standards, I desperately wanted them to be years ago, devolution agreements have While the government’s consultation could bring home. rewarded for their efforts. That was the real been made between central government on outcome based success measures only So when the college’s competitors returned reason I was inconsolable, not the lack of and nine local areas. closed last week, I know that many are from the recent WorldSkills UK Skills medals. From Cornwall to West Yorkshire, concerned about this idea of a trade-off Competition finals held at the NEC without The journey East Kent College is taking Liverpool to Tees Valley, more and more between accredited and employment any glittering awards, you’d think I would be is one of progression. Not achieving podium city regions and combined authority will outcomes verses non-accredited and other upset. finishes this year has not deterred us from be afforded devolved budgets and decision types of outcomes. You’d be right. In fact, I was utterly going back and striving for yet higher making powers over health, social care, There’s potential for an ‘accountability inconsolable, but not for the reason you’re standards. In fact, it has only served to make transport, employment and skills. paradox’ here for local political leaders thinking. us more determined to come back stronger. The strengths, opportunities and in that if devolution only provides At East Kent College, we took the decision to potential benefits of devolved education proportioned central government budgets, get involved in skills competitions about two and skills systems are persuasive. Skills rather then actual power, local political years ago, so we’re fairly fresh to them on the is a good example of how England stands leaders could find themselves satisfying national stage. We made the decision to start Not achieving out as the European Capital of centralised their devolution conditions at the expense taking part because we, as a college, wanted to skills policy. their constituents. begin showcasing the high standards which podium finishes As a democracy, we are facing up to the My hope though, is that in areas like our students were achieving. realisation that central government can’t Greater Manchester, local people feel a We wanted to put our students up against this year has not solve all of the problems. Programmes genuine sense of ownership over learning the best of their peers. There was a reason from Whitehall can’t close skills gaps, they and skills and local politicians have the for that — confidence. We, as a college, were deterred us from can’t eliminate lifetime low pay and they ability to prioritise those in most need in confident that we were teaching our students are not making progress in getting those their communities. at the highest standards, and they too were going back and furthest away from the labour market into Clearly, the devolution agenda at the pushing themselves to achieve the best work. moment throws up as many questions as it possible results. striving for yet That’s why it is welcome that local areas does theoretical benefits. The crucible of skills competitions would have been promised co-commissioning We know that it’s most likely at this also, in our view, ensure that our tutors and higher standards roles for new employment support stage that adult skills and community all staff continued to not only provide the programmes. learning budgets are likely to be devolved highest standard of education, but would keep Yet, I remain restless about a couple under a combined umbrella package. innovating, keep pushing forward to help of things in particular when it comes to With that would also come learner students fulfil their potential. Our students And when our students win gold in the devolution of skills. support funding, but we don’t know the would also benefit from taking part in skills future — and I have no doubt they will — it My first one is about political leadership. extent to which local areas will have competitions. won’t just show an individual with talent, In return for powers, local areas have powers of learner support policy or just the Being tested in the tough competitive it’ll show a college which has worked hard to commit to electing a ‘metro-mayor’. PIN number for the central government environment, we felt, would help to not only to continue improving its skills standards, Working with the mayor will be a budget. get the best from them, but also to inspire and showed commitment to helping everyone combined authority with its own cabinet Now that learning loans are to be them. Being surrounded by the cream of the achieve their full potential. of local authority leaders and its own extended, it’ll be interesting to see what crop would motivate our students to push It will show that the college is further executive. Combined authorities are ideas local areas have in flexing local themselves. down the road in its journey to being the networks of local authorities, each of learning markets to boost demand for And it seems to be working at East Kent best educational establishment it can be, for which will have its own executive and advanced-higher level learning and, again, College. Our students are achieving ever students, for staff, for the local community and cabinet of elected councillors. whether localities will have powers over higher standards, and our staff have continued for the businesses our young people will go on The quality of local outcome agreements, eligibility policy. to drive forward, always working to ensure to work for. FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 157 MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 13

Sue Pember casts her eye over the Ofsted need a sustained programme of adult English 2014/15 annual report. and maths courses in the work place and we Dr Sue Pember need to share the cost between the state who fsted’s mission statement is ‘raising Holex director of policy and external relations failed them when they were at school and the standards and improving lives’ and that is and former senior civil servant in charge of employer. Ocertainly the focus of the 2014/15 annual FE and skills at the Department for Business, report. Innovation and Skills Chief Inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw was Shouldn’t we be absolutely right to highlight the failure of Should Ofsted help shape programmes as many secondary schools and point out how the encouraging Ofsted performance of secondary schools in the North well as inspect them? is worse than those in the South. to get involved I do worry though that poor schools in the always going to be very problematic. This is an and we will find ourselves in two or three South will think they are now off the hook. It area where we all need to work together and, if years’ time with Ofsted offering their critical and help shape the is scandalous that the good work of primary Ofsted has the answers, then course managers assessment of the new standards without schools is undermined and not followed and lecturers must listen and respond. having said in development stage anything activity when it is through into secondary schools. But, this issue, did make me reflect on the about what they will be assessing. However, this is not new. Ask any FE role and timing of inspection. There will be many hundreds of standards being developed lecturer and they will tell you stories of bright In business and in manufacturing, with different delivery patterns and many rather than leaving youngsters who didn’t do well at secondary inspection is key to quality control and the with different end tests/assessments — these school but flourished when they went to inspectors don’t just appear at the end of the could be about how to build a wall, completing it to when a college, and they tell you of the heartache process — they are in the mix from the start, a workplace project or sitting a viva voce. they feel when they have to try to re-motivate making it clear what they will be looking for in Many of these will be delivered without programme is up a young person who has been turned off the final inspection. being piloted. Therefore, it is vital that learning for five years, has completely lost So shouldn’t we be encouraging Ofsted to get the quality measures/outcomes which the and running? confidence, and has to start back at the basics. involved and help shape the activity when it is inspectors will be reviewing are determined What is also interesting in the chief being developed rather than leaving it to when now, otherwise we will undermine the policy Adult education is not a luxury but an inspector’s report is that the North/South a programme is up and running and only then and the inspectors will be back criticising essential service, to meet the demands made divide is not there for primary schools, or for saying what they are looking for? apprenticeship quality in three years’ time. on it, it will need to grow in the future and our colleges. I don’t want to distract from the issue of The chief inspector was right to draw collective challenge is to ensure we provide He also highlighted concerns related to the improving quality, but I do feel this is what attention to the drop in adult learning the leadership and direction and not to let new study programmes and, in particular, the has happened on study programmes. Wouldn’t participation. We need to do more and down those older learners who are relying English and maths element. it have been more effective to detail the collectively we need to refocus our adult on us. Therefore it was right to feature in I struggled to find in his report a comparison inspection criteria at the start? learning strategies. Our nation’s productivity the annual report and I hope that it now of how schools are doing compared to colleges, I am worried that we may repeat this is never going to improve unless we tackle the galvanises us all into establishing a new focus or any recognition that this element was scenario again with apprenticeship standards legacy workforce with poor basic skills. We on adult learning.

of the leadership and management’, small providers when it is a feature of parts yet inspections found leadership and of the entire sector including colleges and management to be good or better in 44 per community learning. Little mention is made cent of GFEs. of traineeships save to say they appeared Phil Hatton Ofsted has put more emphasis on to have little success in fulfilling their leadership in the new Cif, including primary role of being a stepping stone into Former Ofsted HMI and FE practitioner governance, by placing the judgement before apprenticeships. who now works with Learning that of teaching and learning and increasing Improvement Service the inspection focus on it. Good or better for outcomes in GFEs was only 27 per cent while for teaching Ofsted has and learning 40 per cent. The last year saw Sir Michael sees how ‘inequalities in funding an increased focus on linking curriculum recognised that development to local and national priorities. impact on what we can do with our learners’ It is good that Ofsted has recognised the the declining prior attainment of learners in GFEs is much Phil Hatton reviews the Ofsted 2014/15 Sadly, a substantial chunk of the sector did lower than in school sixth forms and sixth budgets to run annual report and pinpoints as key not get the chance to be evaluated against that form colleges, with prior attainment for those its mention of how funding issues are Cif, which put more emphasis on developing elusive GCSEs in English and maths also our sector are so affecting quality. the English and maths skills of learners, being lower. severe that they even if they have a grade C or above in their Hopefully, this will be taken into account eading the learning and skills section previous GCSE results. more when making judgements under the are contributing of the Chief Inspector’s annual brought It has been a real game-changer, as a new Cif. The loss of some 270,000 mainly Rfew surprises for those who have been key part of both study programmes and 25+ learners is also acknowledged as a negatively in their monitoring inspections throughout last year. apprenticeships, contributing to ever consequence of funding. However, the picture painted of being declining overall and timely success rates for The report continues the Ofsted rhetoric impact on quality ‘above’ or ‘below’ the line of being good or the latter. when assessing the performance of better made difficult reading. Sir Michael likes to headline what the independent learning providers that only Being a principal or leader of any sector looks like by quoting what providers certain types of apprenticeship are worthy of This is a disappointing oversight as it is an learning and skills provider is becoming an look like at their most recent inspection, the name. area that is being pushed by local enterprise increasingly demanding and difficult task, as giving a falsely high and reassuring picture of While there is some substance that partnerships as a possible stepping stone. reflected by Sir Michael. learners attending ‘good or better’ providers. there is a need to get equality in levels of Ofsted needs to be giving government At least Ofsted has recognised that For example, general FE colleges (GFEs) apprenticeship right (NVQs at level two vary a firmer steer on the success, or not, of declining budgets to run our sector are so are headlined as having dropped from 79 per too much in content and difficulty) it is not the value to young people of the current severe they are contributing negatively in cent to 77 per cent for the gradings, while in the fault of the providers that there are more traineeship model. their impact on quality. reality for the 48 colleges inspected only 35 places with employers who want customer In summary, Sir Michael has at last stated The report is a key one in that it is also per cent achieved them. service than there are in aeronautical what those of us with lifetimes in the sector brings to an end the last Common Inspection Rather oddly, Sir Michael claims that ‘what engineering. have always known, that the inequalities in Framework (Cif) after a relatively short three differentiates the colleges that succeeded Oddly, comments around weak funding impact on what we can do with our years. from those that are in decline is the calibre subcontracting performance are made around learners. 14 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 experts

building a new training centre at the now technical qualifications. decommissioned Berkley Green power station I am very alert to the challenges that still Neil Carmichael focussing on energy renewables, advanced exist for the FE sector — for example, between Stroud MP, chair of the House of Commons Education manufacturing and cyber security which is them the Department for Education and Select Committee and former governors’ board vice already proving to be highly popular, judging Department for Business, Innovation and Skills chair at Stroud College by the success of the recent open day. both still need to secure potentially £500m of The FE sector is not just in need of reform. savings outside the adult skills budget, and For too long, it has been seen as Cinderella in managing this will create challenges. contrast to higher education so parity between technical and professional training with Climbing out of the abyss academic outcomes is long overdue. One way to achieve this is to introduce I am very Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget last overall settlement in my view represents a a properly valued and recognised National month was widely expected to be disastrous clear recognition by this government that the Apprenticeship Award — guaranteeing alert to the for FE. But while many are still awaiting FE sector will have an increasingly important the quality of the training and saluting the the finer details, the sector appeared at role to play in delivering its policy outcomes achievement of recipients, which should be least safe for now. Neil Carmichael outlines around apprenticeships, workforce skills and part of the government’s early proposals for an challenges that his view of the sector settlement. productivity. Institute for Apprenticeships. The government wants strong local areas Another useful change made in the Spending still exist for he mood of the Association of Colleges and for employers to take a leading role in Review was to allow sixth form colleges to conference when I attended on the closing establishing a post-16 skills system. The series become academies. This will simplify the post- the FE sector Tday could be best summarised by the of area-based reviews is already being carried 16 arena and, by extension, help to define more headline in the conference edition of FE Week out to establish how local areas can set up clearly the role of the FE sector. — ‘Staring into the funding abyss’, following institutions that do this. The FE sector is currently charged with the But both myself and the Labour chair of the warnings from Skills Minister Nick Boles that Colleges will be invited to specialise task of dealing with the huge number of GCSE Business and Skills Select Committee have long “FE will not be insulated from further spending according to local economic priorities, and to maths retakes — and I congratulate the way recognised the importance of the FE sector in cuts”. provide better targeted basic skills alongside many colleges have risen to this challenge — addressing UK skills and this will be a focus The reaction therefore when the spending professional and technical education. Some but this policy needs to be reviewed. of our joint inquiry into UK productivity over review announced that the core adult skills of these will be invited to become Institutes While it is absolutely right for young people 2016. budget would be protected in cash terms of Technology which will be sponsored by — wherever possible — to have a qualification The challenges of the spending review now at £1.5bn was one of relief at a better than employers, registered with professional bodies in maths (and English), a numeracy present a real opportunity to create more expected settlement. and aligned with apprenticeship standards. qualification could suffice. Furthermore, resilient colleges taking the opportunities now Coupled with the announcement of the In my own constituency the South maths should, in my view, be part of a post-16 available to them through greater employer apprenticeship levy and increased availability Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) has curriculum through learning for a National engagement and an ability to embrace new of loans for students who wish to pursue already made itself well poised to develop even Baccalaureate, formed through maths and innovative structures to meet students, and higher levels of vocational education, the more exciting opportunities for young people, English components plus traditional A-levels or employer demands.

The sector might not be about to change can give a young person a degree level quite as drastically, or catastrophically, education while they progress in their jobs as had been expected from Chancellor but we need to do so much more to promote George Osborne’s Budget. But the need Kirstie these routes. for change is nevertheless as urgent as It’s a fact that the sector must shed the ever, explains Kirstie Donnelly. reliance it has had on the government by Donnelly looking for alternative routes of funding. o the Comprehensive Spending Review Managing director, City & Guilds This will include working more closely has finally been announced and, after with local enterprise partnerships, tapping Smonths of speculation about exactly how into new European Social Fund monies deep the cuts would run, we are all breathing and being open to new commercial delivery a collective sigh of relief at the unexpected models and partnerships. Equally we surprise. It wasn’t so ‘bloody’ after all. What next for FE after the cannot ignore the success of the university Perhaps the significant contribution that sector in getting students to pay for their the FE sector makes to the UK economy is own courses and must consider how we finally being recognised in helping to deliver Comprehensive Spending Review? turn the extension of 24+ loans into an the government’s plan for the future skills opportunity by better selling the benefits to growth of the UK workforce. skilled individuals but fills specific local the best possible training option for the learners. However, we’re not out of the woods yet. skills shortages. employers who will be making a significant Back in September, Education Secretary This is something that we at City & Guilds financial contribution to training in the form Nicky Morgan said that the FE sector was recognise and have invested considerably of the levy. in a ‘fragile state’ and that certainly hasn’t in. We work closely with employers on the They will now become the ‘customer’ of FE The focus for changed. Added to that was the fact that apprenticeship reforms and are involved with in the realest sense of the word as they will be the annual review by Ofsted was far from two thirds of the new Trailblazer groups and making the choices of who they work with to the sector must favourable, with Sir Michael Wilshaw’s we formed the Industry Skills Board (ISB) achieve their skills needs. inspectorate rating just 35 per cent of colleges made up of a range of employers responsible This quality message also needs to now be the pursuit as good or outstanding. for delivering apprenticeships. get through to the learners themselves, So what next? It’s vitally important that The ISB recently published the Making particularly 14 to 19-year-olds who are of quality colleges and independent learning providers Apprenticeships Work report, which provides still biased towards traditional academic work more effectively with employers and a real employer view of apprenticeship learning. Our recent Great Expectations accept they are there to serve their needs, and reforms, how to implement successful report, which surveyed over 3,000 young We have reached a moment in time where in turn the needs of the learner. Some colleges reform and ultimately deliver quality people, found that the vast majority of them there has never been as much pressure on are already firmly on the case in this regard — apprenticeships. (70 per cent) wanted to go to university us as a sector to deliver. It will be tough, Procat in Essex for example is fully immersed The focus for the sector must now be despite economic modellers EMSI telling us but we have the tools and the potential to in its local employer landscape. the pursuit of quality; we have to push up that only 30 per cent of jobs were at graduate make a huge contribution to the success of Closer employer links mean colleges will be standards right across the sector not only to level. individuals and the country as a whole — able to make choices about their curriculums address the concerns raised by Ofsted but We know that there are excellent it’s time for us to step up to the plate and based on real insight which delivers not only also to ensure that we are viewed as being professional and technical pathways that show everyone what we’re made of. FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 157 MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 15

Martin Doel has revealed plans [see Movers & Shakers on page 18 for more] to Martin become the inaugural Further Education Colleges, Trust for Leadership (Fetl) Professor of FE and Skills in the University College Doel independent London (UCL) Institute of Education (IoE). He outlines the kind of issues he Chief executive of the Association of Colleges learning providers, wants to be looking at. adult learning he first task of leadership is to impart Questions, questions, questions as AoC providers and direction and define purpose — what then Tis the distinctive purpose and direction chief Doel prepares for life of a professor employer providers of institutions delivering FE? What does the term FE mean? Should skills follow FE like skills as it does in other areas of business? whether employers or in government. have proven a horse and carriage in the phrase ‘FE and How do we sustain and build further Working with colleagues at the Institute skills’? an entrepreneurial spirit in FE colleges of Education, Fetl fellows and friends and themselves As the Fetl Professor of FE and Skills in the and providers that is reconciled with the colleagues across the sector, I hope to find UCL Institute of Education, these are some requirement for accountability for public answers to the questions or at least form remarkably adept at of the questions that I’m hoping to have the funds? better questions — as you can see I’m opportunity to explore and discuss. They’re But do those questions, and those being already beginning to make the transition surviving whatever the type of questions that, against the litany addressed by the Fetl fellows that I’m to being an academic. I think also that we is thrown their way of day-to-day challenges, are often neglected. looking forward to working with, actually should have the humility to learn from Further questions might be — how do matter? After all, colleges, independent others who are engaged in addressing the autonomous institutions make themselves learning providers, adult learning providers same type of questions — providers in with Fetl fellows, there will more than properly accountable to those they serve? and employer providers have proven other educational sectors, in commerce, enough to do in supporting colleges If improved skills are a necessary, but not themselves remarkably adept at surviving in other countries both near (we have our through area reviews, in making full sense sufficient, condition to improve productivity, whatever is thrown their way. own experiment ongoing in the UK as the of the spending review, in contributing what are the other elements required and In my opinion, they do matter. FE and skills systems in each of the nations to policy that enables colleges to deliver how do these elements interact with skills Unreflective action might achieve diverge but retain very similar cultural their full share of 3m high quality provision? What should be the balance temporary respite, but it’s not the behaviour roots) and far, in local government and in apprenticeships, in ensuring that colleges between broad education and focused of a mature and autonomous sector. A sign the voluntary sector. are at the centre of the rejuvenation training, especially for young people? How of maturity is a secure sense of ‘self’ and In the meantime, there’s a day job to do at of higher technical and professional do leaders of FE institutions contribute to a wish to be self-determining. These are AoC until September when I will take up my education and in making sure that the leadership of ‘place’ with other agencies and indicators of underlying confidence that in full responsibilities at the IoE. achievements of colleges and their students local partners? How can collaboration co- turn inspire confidence in staff, students and While beginning to think about more and are properly acknowledged and recognised. exist with competition in the world of FE and in those that fund education and training, even better questions and while working In fact, it’s business as usual.

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9 Supporting regional priorities in engineering, manufacturing, construction 10 Leader in equality, diversity and inclusion, creating opportunities for all Talk to us Call 0114 227 0500 www.nocn.org.uk/AOC @nocn1 nocn1 FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 157 MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 17 CAMPUS ROUND-UP Curtis May performing his rap-style music in the Derby College recording studio

City of Liverpool College’s Simon O’Brien (back right) with the England under 19s volleyball team Tutor brings back Danish lessons City of Liverpool College sports tutor He said his experience at the Rapper Curtis sings Dame Kelly praise is using his experience in working championship would be a “huge advantage” A with Olympic hopefuls to benefit his to his students as he can demonstrate real Derby College rapper featured on of family problems at home. My sister students. hands-on experience in the field. a BBC Lifeline TV programme to suggested that I join the Get on Track Simon O’Brien is the lead medical officer “The whole experience has been fantastic A highlight the support he has gained programme and it has been brilliant. for the England volleyball under 19s squad, and the connections I have made will from the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. “After the eight week programme, I helping to prepare them for, hopefully, benefit my students at the college greatly,” Curtis May, aged 18, is a music continued to receive a lot of help from future Olympics. said Mr O’Brien. technology learner and joined the Trust’s my athlete mentor GB swimmer Ross He returned from Denmark with the “We have made excellent steps in Get on Track programme two years ago to Davenport and I am now able to focus team last month where they competed securing a permanent relationship with help him overcome the challenges he faced positively on the opportunities that are in the Northern European Volleyball the team that will give our sports therapy at school and home. available to me.” Championship and secured a bronze medal. students the chance to gain some vital Curtis said: “When I left school I didn’t Curtis is now a student at the Derby Mr O’Brien was the lead sports therapist hands on experience working with really know what I wanted to do and I had a College’s Joseph Wright Campus and for the team, coordinating with the England Volleyball and taking part in lot of anger problems and depression. continues to compose and perform his rap- managers and coaches to aid England’s lessons at the national training base in “I was bullied at school and had a lot style music. success at the games. Kettering.” ebs_half_page_nov15_2.pdf 1 11/11/2015 16:12:01

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Call 0845 3133 151 or email ‘THRIVE’ to [email protected] to set up a conversation Call 0845 3133 151 for an information pack or email [email protected] 18 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 CAMPUS ROUND-UP FEATURED Postnatal progress earns Zoe just deserts CAMPUS An ex-offender who passed an exam ROUND-UP less than 24 hours after giving birth has been honoured for her efforts to turn her life around through FE, writes Billy Camden.

oe Marie Roberts feared a traumatic past would continue to Zlead her to a life of crime — but she decided to change track and enrolled for studies at Coleg Menai Bangor and has not looked back since. The 19-year-old learner studied a new direction course which consisted of health and social, IT and psychology, Zoe being presented with her award. From left: Sergeant Stephen Williams, Zoe Marie Roberts, followed by a social sciences diploma. Carys Jones from Gwynedd Mon Youth Justice Service and Lois Jones, Zoe’s former social worker Her determination to better her life was underlined when she sat her social work to her committing minor offences within the exam just one day after the birth of her third community throughout her teenage years, son, Harvey, and passed. usually while under the influence of drugs and As recognition, Zoe was named winner alcohol. Zoe Marie Roberts with her No Offence Redemption & Justice Young Person Award of the No Offence Redemption & Justice She refused to attend school and later Young Person Award, an annual award that “became a danger” to herself. the Youth Justice Service. impact on people’s lives with similar issues recognises the achievements of people who Zoe’s life choices, along with her traumatic Zoe has also acted as a mentor to another to her own.” have overcome adversity to change their experiences, drove an escalation in her young female with a similar offending history Zoe added: “I still face difficulties now and lives. offending which led to two periods in custody to herself. my life is far from perfect but I’m far away “When I heard I had been nominated for and another of her being placed within a Novus, a not-for-profit social enterprise from life of crime. the award I was shocked as I didn’t think I secure unit for her own safety. which delivers education, training and “Having my three children — Tylor, was doing anything special,” said Zoe. On reaching age 18, Zoe decided she could employability services to people in custody, Sophea and Harvey — is what inspired me “I just wanted to give back to the no longer continue on this path and enrolled sponsored Zoe’s award. to change.” community and to help others, to show them for her studies despite a four-year absence The company’s director of justice services, that there is a chance. from education. Barbara McDonough, said: “Zoe clearly Do you want to be in Campus Round-up? “When I heard I won it was an emotional She has since progressed into work roles demonstrated to the judges her ability to time as it showed me the changes I had with a company offering young people the make positive changes in her own life and Send your stories with pictures to campus@ made in 10 years. It has been an amazing chance to live independently, and has also sustain those improvements over a significant feweek.co.uk including names, ages and experience.” provided support voluntarily to the Edge of period of time. In addition, Zoe has helped course details of students where applicable At the age of 10 Zoe was abused which led Care Team and helped to interview staff for others to change and has had a positive

the last 12 years and I have every confidence including: on-line assessments, working that I will be leaving the college in safe and with employers to engage with new, higher Your weekly guide inspirational hands. This is very good news for and more bespoke qualifications, new MOVERS education and training in Oxfordshire.” partnerships with education providers and to who’s new and Meanwhile, awarding organisation centres to develop outstanding technical Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) centres of excellence, particularly within who’s leaving has appointed Alan Woods OBE to succeed Dr hair and beauty therapy, and to support the SHAKERS Stephen Vickers as its chief executive with ambition of our employers to support the & effect from January 1. apprenticeship revolution that is sweeping bingdon & Witney College deputy worked at Oxfordshire County Council as part Mr Woods arrives after leading on the UK.” principal Di Batchelor will take the step of the adult education team. apprenticeships and vocational education with And Martin Doel will be standing down Aup to principal after the Christmas break Stephen Dexter, chair of governors said the the University of Law (ULaw) for the past 18 as chief executive of the Association of when Teresa Kelly retires. board was “unanimous in its decision and has months. Colleges (AoC) from September to move The board of governors said it appointed Ms utmost confidence in Ms Batchelor to continue Before working with ULaw he led Skills to a new professorship for the Further Batchelor because of her “impressive personal the successful progress of Abingdon & Witney for Justice, a sector skills council licensed by Education Trust for Leadership (Fetl). contribution” to the college’s recent progress College”. the government to work with employers on Mr Doel will continue in his post with the in curriculum development, teaching and Ms Kelly said: “I am delighted that Ms competences, skills and apprenticeships. AoC until then, helping to establish his new learning, and the development of new facilities. Batchelor will take up the position as college Mr Woods said: “I am particularly looking role as Fetl Professor of FE and skills at the Ms Batchelor, who joined Abingdon College principal when I retire at Christmas. forward to leading, with a great set of staff University College London (UCL) Institute in 1992 as head of adult learning, previously “I have worked closely with Ms Batchelor for colleagues at VTCT, on new areas of work of Education (IOE) from April 1. A Fetl spokesperson said the role was “the very first professorial role for the sector and will help lead thinking to influence policy and help shape the future for FE and skills”. Mr Doel said: “Working at the AoC has been the most rewarding job that I have had. “In my new role on behalf of Fetl in the Institute of Education, I will look to draw on my experience at AoC to continue to enhance understanding of the FE and skills sector.” A spokesperson for the AoC said it “will undertake the process of appointing a new Di Batchelor Teresa Kelly Alan Woods Dr Stephen Vickers Martin Doel chief executive in January”.

If you want to let us know of any new faces at the top of your college, training provider or awarding organisation please let us know by emailing [email protected] FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 157 MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 19 jobsNOCN Recruitment Advert AW - Quarter Page FE Week_Layout 1 02/12/2015 12:24 Page 1

Director of Customer LECTURER IN AGRICULTURE Support and Operations Unqualified: £24,775 pa, pro rata Qualified: £28,695 pa, pro rata Sheffield 1x Part-time, 29.6 hours per week (0.8 FTE) From £57,000 Closing date: 18 December 2015 1x Full-time, 37 hours per week (1.0 FTE) Both roles are fixed-term initially until 31 August 2016 NOCN is looking for a new Director of Customer Support For more information on these roles, other opportunities and Operations. The primary objective of the role is to lead the Customer Support functions to meet customer and Writtle College, please visit our website: www.writtle.ac.uk service and quality standards. The position will report to Closing date: 11 December 2015. Interview date: 22 December 2015. the MD as part of the Senior Management Team and includes liaison with internal functions and external Writtle College strives to be an Equal Opportunities employer. All applicants who are offered employment will be partners. subject to a criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. This college is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share The ideal candidate will have a commercial perspective this commitment. and understand the needs of customers, they will be an excellent leader with great communication and motivation skills. They will have previous experience managing customer services teams, on-line support, database management and related systems. Lancaster & Morecambe College Knowledge of the vocational skills and education market is essential including the management of assessments Programme Area Manager in Business, and examinations. Experience of working in a regulated environment is also important, as is any direct experience Computing, Travel & Hospitality in education, training or with awarding and assessment organisations. Salary £32,189 - £37,537 per annum 37 hours per week Job Ref: MS 867 NOCN is a progressive, non-profit organisation creating We are seeking to recruit an innovative and highly motivated individual wishing to develop their curriculum amazing opportunities for its customers, employees management career within the FE sector. This post offers the opportunity to lead and manage a well- and partners. established team dedicated to providing excellent educational and vocational opportunities, including full-time FE courses and Apprenticeships. Benefits include Teachers’ Pension Scheme, generous leave entitlement and opportunities for continuing professional development. For further details and a full job description, visit: For full details including how to apply, please visit our website www.lmc.ac.uk www.nocn.org.uk/jobs Interviews will take place on Thursday, 7th January 2016. Closing date: Thursday, 17th December 2015 Application instructions: Contact information: Email CV and covering letter explaining why you are best Email: [email protected] suited for the position, to: Phone: 01524 521507 Address: Morecambe Road, Lancaster, LA1 2TY Dr David Hutchinson, HR Director. Email: [email protected]

Principal £competitive salary plus relocation, St Helens With 2,100 students drawn from 40+ secondary schools across Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire, Carmel College is an inclusive Catholic Sixth Form College that welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. Recently ranked as the top Sixth Form College in the country for student progress by ALPS, the College operates from a single campus which has seen £23m of investment and provides an outstanding place of learning. Our mission is to be a centre of educational excellence, opportunity, challenge and support within a caring Christian environment. Our new Principal will lead the College to achieve continued academic excellence and provide exceptional pastoral care, whilst maintaining the ethos of the College. With unprecedented levels of change in 16-19 education, we do not underestimate the challenges ahead and we will expect you to have experience of developing and implementing effective and sustainable strategies in response to the national agenda. You will have a successful track record of strategic leadership in an educational setting which has high academic standards, a culture of A COLLEGE FOR continuous improvement and effective management of resources. A collaborative, inspirational and ambassadorial leader, you will be able to bring out the best in your team, develop strong THE COMMUNITY working relationships with stakeholders and have the gravitas and credibility to influence agendas at a sector level. This post presents a significant opportunity for professional rewards in a values-driven organisation with a strong team ethic and where the student experience is at the heart of every decision. It is a requirement of this role for the postholder to be a practising Catholic. To find out more, visitwww.carmelprincipal.co.uk or contact Trudy Searle, Mike Galloway or Peter Ryder on 0113 287 8445. Closing date: 3 January. Initial interviews: 11 & 12 January. Final interviews: 20 & 21 January.

Maple GROUP 20 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 jobs

The only newspaper dedicated to further education and skills

TO ADVERTISE YOUR ROLES BEFORE CHRISTMAS, PLEASE CONTACT HANNAH ON 020 3432 1394 OR EMAIL [email protected]

LAST EDITION OF THE YEAR EDITION 158: MONDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2015 BOOKING DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY 9TH DECEMBER AT 5PM

FIRST EDITION OF 2016 EDITION 159: MONDAY 11TH JANUARY 2016 BOOKING DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY 6TH JANUARY AT 5PM FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 157 MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 21 jobs TUTOR / ASSESSOR VACANCIES East Midlands - £22,000 - £26,000 pro rata MITRE GROUP EDUCATION  CONSULTANCY  RESEARCH (Part-time or Associate) Closing Date: January 12, 2015

Tutor / Assessor - Marketing Tutor / Assessor - Business Skills

Role and Responsibilities Role and Responsibilities • Delivery of high-quality, accredited programmes in Marketing, • Delivery of high-quality, accredited programmes in Business Skills Digital Media and Social Media including Customer Service, Business Administration, Contact • Meet the quality assurance requirements as set by Mitre Group, Centre and Team Leading the Awarding Body and the Funding Provider • Meet the quality assurance requirements as set by Mitre Group, the Awarding Body and the Funding Provider Qualifications and Education Requirements • Minimum 3 years’ experience of working in marketing / digital Qualifications and Education Requirements media / social media • Minimum 3 years’ experience of working at a managerial or • Teaching / tutor qualification (e.g. PGCE, L4 Education and supervisory role within business Training) • Teaching / tutor qualification (e.g. PGCE, L4 Education and • Understanding of Marketing Principles and up to date experience Training) of Digital Media software and Social Media platforms • Experience and up to date understanding of customer service, • Microsoft Office skills administration and business principles • Microsoft Office skills Preferred Skills • NVQ Assessor qualification (e.g. A1, TAQA) Preferred Skills • Experience of working with Government funded programmes • NVQ Assessor qualification (e.g. A1, TAQA) • Minimum GCSE A-C in English and Maths • Experience of working with Government funded programmes • Minimum GCSE A-C in English and Maths

To apply, email [email protected] with a CV and covering letter

Teacher in Maths GCSE and Functional Skills

Full time, Part Time or true potential. You’ll also know how to monitor each step of their progress however Sessional hours available. big or small and celebrate their successes. Whether you are a graduate, a teacher new Up to £32,263 p.a. for full time (plus Market to the profession or someone with experience Supplement for exceptional candidate of teaching maths we would like to hear from dependent on skills and experience.) Fractional pro rata and Sessional £27.08 per you. hour. We are able to offer you a final salary pension scheme, generous holidays and We require a teacher to deliver GCSE and the facilities of a College campus set in 70 Functional Skills mathematics to students acres of green belt in a peaceful setting. The working on vocational programmes from Entry College has excellent transport links and is set level to Level 3. The successful applicant will in a location convenient to London and the understand the GCSE and Functional Skills South East and offers a large free on-site courses and how to best enable our students car park. to achieve well. You will join our strong and experienced Please indicate which contract type Maths team and with them, inspire, excite and you are interested in. engage students and help them to move on to higher education, further education, Online applications must be submitted employment or training. You will be sensitive and interviews to your students’ needs and enable and by 10 December 2015 encourage them to express and reach their will be held on 8th January 2016.

www.nescot.ac.uk Nescot, Reigate Road, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3DS NescotCollege @Nescot 22 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 jobs

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY PLEASE GO TO WWW.BIGCREATIVE.EDUCATION/JOBS

Mathematics Lecturer (37 hpw) temporary until July 2016 £18,688 - £31,854 An exciting opportunity has become available to join the maths team at Stockton Riverside College. If you see your future supporting learners to fulfil their potential and have the skills required to create an innovative and inspiring learning environment - then this is the place for you!

We are looking to appoint a Mathematics Lecturer on a temporary contract until 15 July 2016, with the potential to become permanent. If you feel you can make a positive contribution to our successful team then we would love to hear from you.

Appointment is conditional upon a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

CLOSING DATE: SUNDAY13th DECEMBER 2015 INTERVIEWS: FRIDAY 18th DECEMBER 2015 To apply, visit: www.stockton.ac.uk/job/mathematics-lecturer-37-hpw/

:;6*2;65 5,9(56,'( *633,., www.stockton.ac.uk FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 157 MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015 23 jobs

EXTERNAL VACANCY TRAINER/ASSESSOR (MATHS AND ENGLISH) X2 FULL TIME MATHS & ENGLISH TUTOR/ TEACHER - £35,000PA OTE POST REF: 5795, 37 HOURS PER WEEK. FULL-TIME, PERMANENT £26,406.45 - £28,857.72 PER ANNUM LOCATION: ENGLAND Sunderland College has a long history of employer engagement, achieved through developing the skills Due to the outstanding successes of our work to date, we are looking to recruit a new team of 15 and knowledge that equip our learners to work in a diverse range of sectors. Today, Sunderland College experienced Skills for Life tutors. works with over 400 businesses and is one of the largest providers of Apprenticeships in the region. The You will be delivering English and Maths from Entry Level through to Level 2, contextualised with College is keen to continue to build on this success and expand its Trainer Assessor provision, having a vocational award. Some delivery will be in the Health and Social Care sector, and therefore any secured a number of significant contracts in the above areas. experience in the H&SC sector would be an advantage but not essential. The role will be working on a peripatetic basis, delivering in your region. Willingness to travel and your own transport are We are seeking to appoint two suitably qualified Trainer/Assessors to work within the department of essential. English and Maths. The majority of work will involve workplace delivery of Maths and English qualifications including our Apprenticeship provision. Successful applicants should hold a Degree, relevant teaching ESSENTIAL CRITERIA – PLEASE DO NOT APPLY qualification (or be willing to work towards this) and a proven track record of delivering English and Maths IF YOU CAN’T COMPLY: qualifications with successful outcomes to a diverse range of leaners. Applicants should also possess an assessor’s qualification. • Full time ONLY with flexible hours • Have achieved a recognised full teaching qualification - Cert ed/ PGCE/ DTLLS or equivalent Applicants should be able to demonstrate relevant experience in their personal statement, giving practical • Experience in teaching English and/or Maths examples of how they fulfil the person specification. Our Trainer Assessors need to be independently • Outstanding personal written and verbal communication skills mobile and must be able to travel throughout the North East and in some instances may need to travel • A driving license and access to your own transportation further afield.

HIGHLY DESIRED CRITERIA Due to the nature of this post you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check. To find out more about this great opportunity visit sunderlandcollege.ac.uk/vacancies alternatively email • Experience of working with adult learners [email protected] or call 0191 511 6046 to request an application pack. • Working towards or have achieved a Level 4/5 Subject Specialist qualification in literacy and/ or Numeracy ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5PM ON THURSDAY 07 JANUARY 2016. • Excellent ICT Skills It is envisaged that interviews will take place the week commencing 11 January 2016.

The successful candidate will also be required to have a valid DBS Clearance Check. We are working towards equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the In the first instance, please send an email outlining your recent relevant experience community. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. together with your CV. NCC Skills Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer. No agencies please [email protected]

www.nccskills.co.uk

English and maths jobs Teacher in English GCSE and Functional Skills

Sessional Lecturer in English • work closely with vocational tutors • have good ICT skills for GCSE and Functional Skills • maintain comprehensive records of WE ARE CONTINUING TO assessment and attendance £27.08 per hour • monitor student progress and identify areas OFFER FREE RECRUITMENT We require an enthusiastic, experienced for learner improvement ADVERTISING FOR ALL ENGLISH classroom teacher to deliver English GCSE • motivate students to achieve their full potential and Functional Skills to a wide range of students The successful applicant will be a qualifi ed working on vocational programmes. This position teacher who can use their own initiative as well AND MATHS TEACHING ROLES. will suit someone who has a passion for this subject as it’s a vital role in further education. as work effectively within a forward-thinking, supportive team. GET IN TOUCH WITH HANNAH We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate a proven track record of success We are able to offer you a fi nal salary pension BELOW FOR MORE INFO in delivering English GCSE and Functional Skills. scheme, generous holidays and the facilities of Applicants must have a commitment to excellent a College campus set in 7 acres of green belt in teaching with a primary objective of improving a peaceful setting. The College has excellent student achievement. transport links and is set in a location convenient As an English lecturer, you will: to London and the South East and offers a large free on-site car park. • be able to teach GCSE English Language repeat students Closing Date for completed applications TO ADVERTISE WITH US CALL • prepare and delivery effective schemes of is Sunday 13 December 2015 work consistent with college policy and national HANNAH SMITH ON 020 81234 778 requirements be creative, resourceful and fl exible Interviews will be held on Thursday 7 January 2016 OR [email protected] www.nescot.ac.uk Nescot, Reigate Road, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3DS NescotCollege @Nescot NOCN FE Week Back Half Page FS-LIVE Advert (03/12/15)_Layout 1 01/12/2015 16:46 Page 1 24 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

LAUNCHING JANUARY 2016 FS-LIVE Functional Skills Online Testing To complement our extensive provision of hard-copy examinations and assessments in English and Maths Functional Skills, NOCN is launching FS-LIVE online testing.

FS-LIVE TESTS l Mathematics Level 1 and 2 l English Reading Level 1 and 2 l English Writing Level 1 and 2

FEATURES l Secure, locked-down browser l Enhanced exam security l Bespoke application l Availability 24-7 to suit your timetable l Multiple choice automated marking l Paper versions available according to your needs l Considerable time and cost savings achievable l Created with leading educational software developers l NOCN functional skills qualifications can be used as part of an apprenticeship

To find out more, get in touch Call 0114 227 0500 Email [email protected] Click www.nocn.org.uk/FS-LIVE

How to play: Fill in all blank squares Spot the difference FE Week Sudoku challenge making sure that each row, column and 3 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9 to WIN an FE Week mug

Last Week’s solutions

8 3 2 Difficulty: 6 7 4 5 2 1 9 8 3 EASY 5 6 8 1 3 4 9 7 2 5 6 2 9 5 6 8 3 1 7 4 4 8 6 9 3 5 2 8 6 9 4 1 7 1 2 6 9 9 8 1 3 7 4 5 6 2 4 6 7 2 1 5 8 3 9 5 4 8 9 3 6 7 2 1 7 3 1 5 7 3 9 1 5 2 6 4 8 1 5 9 8 1 2 6 7 4 8 3 9 5

5 4 Difficulty: 9 4 2 EASY

1 4 7 Difficulty: 5 6 8 1 2 4 7 9 3 MEDIUM 9 4 3 8 7 5 1 6 2 8 7 5 2 2 7 1 9 6 3 8 5 4 8 9 6 5 4 3 9 7 2 1 8 1 8 7 6 4 2 5 3 9 7 9 8 4 3 9 2 5 1 8 4 7 6 4 2 6 7 3 1 9 8 5 8 1 4 2 8 1 9 2 5 6 3 4 7 7 3 5 4 8 9 6 2 1 3 2 Spot five differences. First correct entry wins an FE Week mug. Text your name and 1 5 6 7 Difficulty: picture of your completed spot the difference to 07969 166 374. MEDIUM 4 3 6 Solutions: Last week’s spot the difference winner was Rotherham College governors’ board Next week chair Ken Barrass.